'I will always protect her with all my might. I know, I have hurt her the most when she does not even know why I was playing dirty games around her maligning her character. I am her culprit but still she trusted me with her life. She must be thinking our moment from last night was accidental it was just we both lost in the pool of passion for each other, but this is not totally true. I have intentionally asked that maid to send her up on the terrace. Yes, I know whatever happened between me and her was totally unexpected and unplanned, I never wanted to cross my limits but when I looked in her eyes as usual, I lost my all senses. And she also responded equally melting in my arms. But still, I need to confess my deeds to her before I start this relation with her, then let her decide what she wants to do. Today because of me she had to face everyone's wrath, there are tears in her eyes. But this is the last time when she is facing all these blames. From this moment onwards, I will be her shield, whatever the situation comes in our life, I will be the one who will face it, safeguarding her from any unforeseen events. I will never leave her hand in any circumstances. Her happiness, her security, her smile, her choice would be my priority. I will secure her happiness even if it counts my own life.' Sanskar had promised himself in his mind while taking the seven rounds around the holy fire.

Swara took deep breath while stepping down from mandap post completion of all rituals which changed her identity as Mrs. Swara Sanskar Maheshwari. She looked at her father who was smiling at her moist eyes.

Newly married couple took blessings from everyone. Sujata kissed Swara's forehead whereas Ram kept his palm on her forehead.

"Bhabhi" Uttara beamed and hugged Swara with bright smile. Samaira also joined them for girl's hug.

Neil hugged his best friend "Congratulations Sanskar", he continued breaking his hug with his best friend and looking at the bride, "Congratulations Swara. I wish you both have a great married life."

Swara and Sanskar shared quick eye lock and nod their heads passing tight artificial smile.

As instructed by Panditji, Swara and Sanskar were taken to house temple for taking blessings from Kanhaji.

'Please forgive me Kanhaji, I have somewhat forced Swara for this marriage by manipulating her thoughts. But I had promised Reva that I will take care of her as my daughter. In absence of Reva it is my responsibility to protect my child. I know, I can sense Swara and Sanskar are uncomfortable with each other, this marriage does not look like normal love marriage. But then what is it? They share something. Hey Kanhaji, you only know what you have stored in their fate. With Swara, I can only trust my Sanskar. I know him, he will take time, but he will surely be the best life partner for her, I have raised him to be like that only. He will care for her the most, love her beyond any limits, he will shield her from any harm. Reva, wherever you are, please bless our children. The dream which you and I saw on the day of Swara's birth is fulfilled now. And please come back to us soon. We all want you to be back to be part of this happiness. This happiness is incomplete without you my best friend.' Sujata felt stream of tears on her cheeks while confessing her thoughts in front of Kanhaji's idol joining her hands.

Miles away, one lady opened her gloomy eyes mumbling "Shona." Anyone hearing her soft mumble would have awestruck listening her pale yet melodious voice. A lady was resting on the armchair inside a dark room illuminated with small night lamp. She had strange appearance, almost as if it was contrived. She was wearing light simple yellow cotton Punjabi suit. Her long hairs were wizened and straw-like, nearly fossilized, it was so dry. Though her face was toilworn and tanned but she had features which would have been enough to skip anyone's heartbeat at first glance when she was at her young age.

She caressed the hairs of the doll looking blankly at her face, her eyes were not focused but move randomly caressing features of the doll. She clutched the doll's petit figure over her chest as her life dependent on that piece of vinyl. There were no emotions on her face, she looked at the doll again and mumbled "Shona" with blank stare. She rested her head on back of armchair 's staring at ceiling with void gaze, she herself did not realize when sleep engulfed her.

"Swara Beta, please go and get change. These cloths will be too heavy for travelling" Sujata turned towards Swara.

"Come Swara, I will help you." Samaira readily came forward to help her.

Hearing their conversations, Sanskar took out his Stoll and passed it to Swara as it was still tied up with her chunari as gathbandhan. She looked at him and without saying anything took his stoll and followed Samaira. Sanskar kept on staring at her retreating figure leaving deep sigh shaking his head.

"Don't worry everything will be fine" Neil mumbled in Sanskar's ears holding his shoulder.

"Hope so" Sanskar mumbled with simple nod.

"Sanskar you also go and get changed; we need to leave within one hour." Sujata informed.

Both girls went back to their rooms and changed into casual clothes. Swara changed into yellow Anarkali and was removing all heavy jewellery standing in front of mirror, when her fingers touched Mangalsutra. She raised her eyes to look at her reflection to hold the pendant of Mangalsutra. This one piece of neckless tied her fate with Sanskar for her entire life. She observed her reflection in the mirror her hairline was filled with sindoor of his name. Tears automatically brimmed in her eyes.

'I had accepted Sahil's marriage proposal just for Papa and I did this marriage also for the same reason. I don't want him to face the society. These people will again question him about upbringing he gave to me. He gave me the best upbringing, he loved me with all his heart. He is the only one I have in my life whom I don't want to lose. I knew if I would have backed off, Papa would have supported me but would have been broken from inside. I am not like her Papa; I am just your daughter. She left you to hear all taunts but by accepting this marriage, I will shut everyone's mouth. I am not a daughter of any betrayer but yours Papa, only yours. I don't know how this marriage will work. I don't even know will this work or not. With Sahil it was easy. I knew, he never had any effects on me but with him, I am not sure how to react. In front of him, my all guards, my resolutions fell down, and I become someone else melting and craving for his attention. I need to clear all things with him, that I am not at all interested in this marriage it is just a forced decision which I took for my Papa. So, he should not expect anything from me.' Swara felt stream of tears on her chubby cheeks which she wiped immediately sensing someone's presence at her back.

"I can't even say that I know what you must be feeling right now." Samaira put her palm on her shoulder looking at her reflection from mirror.

"My life had become sensational gossips for everyone" Swara mumbled with humorous chuckle removing her bangles.

"This time will also pass by. I would suggest just one thing have patience and if you need any friend any time to share, I am always there for you." Samaira assured with blink. Over last few weeks, Samaira and Swara bonded in close friendship. Samaira appreaciated her bond with Swara. She noticed Swara who was not an open book, free minded or easy-going girl. She was reserved and a girl who can proficiently masked her feelings, her innocence behind her fierce and arrogant attitude.

"Thanks, Samaira" Swara replied passing smile looking at her reflection from mirror.

"One more thing, my Dadi used to say whatever happens in our life has one meaning. We think this is the worst possible moment which ruined our life. But at the same time destiny had written the remedy for that moment. Over the days, we start feeling that the moment which we used to curse as the worst moment turned into the best moment of our life. We just need to trust our destiny and keep our sanity." Samaira's genuine words brought smile on Swara's face.

"Thanks, Samaira, I will keep this in my mind" Swara turned with awkward smile.

"Didi are we leaving now?" Little Aditya asked with pout entering Swara's room with teary eyes.

"Soon A...Adi...Aditya" Swara stammered gulping hard. From couple of days, whenever she took Aditya's name she felt plethora of emotions. Every time, Sanskar's astounded face used to flash in front of her eyes, post the incident when she called little Aditya, but he replied unknowingly.

"Didi you will come to meet me?" Aditya asked wrapping his arms around Swara.

Swara sat on her knees caressing his face and wiping his tears. She nodded her head with assured smile but even her eyes had turned moist.

"Your Didi will come tomorrow only to meet you as she needs to fulfill one ritual at her father's home." Nandini said with smile looking at their pious bond. She continued "Are you ready Swara and Samaira? All are waiting downstairs; we will be leaving for airport soon for our private jet"

"Yes aunty" Swara replied with nod and started following her.

Swara along with Samaira came downstairs, she saw Sanskar standing and talking with Neil and both were focussing at his mobile. He also had changed in the casuals; he was wearing dark navy-blue colour full sleeves shirt paired with light grey formal pants and same colour semi formal jacket. His silky jet-black hairs were falling on his forehead as he was shaking his head on Neil's talks. He was engrossed in deep discussions with Neil, Swara could feel it looking at seriousness on his face.

Sanskar was discussing with Neil about next steps to get a hold on offender who was responsible for photo leakage. He felt someone's intense gaze so he raised his eyes to look after Swara who's eyes were fixed on him. They shared brief eye lock which was broken by Swara. She moved towards her father but Sanskar's gaze was following her every move. She had changed into simple yellow Anarkali. His heart swelled and lips stretched in small smile, looking at her marital symbols which were announcing the world that she belongs to him and only him.

All three families bid bye to Gopi Dadi after taking her blessings and settled in their respective cars which took them to airport. Media and reporters were following them to get one glance of newly wedded couple. Security teams were keeping reporters and cameras away from families by surrounding their car convoy in tight security.

Within two hours their jet landed in Mumbai and all travelers came out from plane where all expensive car convoy was waiting for the along with their security guards. Servants were keeping their luggage in respective cars.

"Papa, please take care of yourself, I will come tomorrow to our home" Swara knew this was her time to part away from her father. Her eyes have been filled with tears and nose had become red. Anurag pulled her in his embrace, his little Swara was married now and was taking her first step in her new life holding her life partner's hand.

"Please take care of my daughter, she is my most precious possession" Anurag requested Sanskar with moist eyes.

"Please uncle, I will" Sanskar responded with assured nod and blink.

"Go and live your life to the fullest Shona. May Kanhaji bless you with all happiness of the world." Anurag blessed kissing her forehead. Swara passed tight fake smile nodding her head.

Sujata held Swara's shoulder in support directing her towards their car followed by Sanskar, they all slipped inside the car.

Sanskar was sitting beside her on the back seat of his black Porche and David was driving the car. Swara was looking outside of the window to hide her tears. Sanskar glanced at pale face her helplessly, she was trying to show her strong self, but he could very well comprehend her inner turmoil. Sanskar took out his handkerchief from his jacket and passed it to her without any words. Swara took it passing a quick glance at him who was looking straight, but his eyes were showing some unexplainable emotions to her. His lips stretched in small smile when she reciprocated to his gestures.

Soon the cars crossed iron gates of Maheshwari House. Swara and Sanskar came out of the car and were standing at the doorstep where Sujata was performing their arti with moist eyes. She had already informed house maids to make preparations for Swara's grihpravesh.

"Swara Beta, please push this kalash with your right feet and enter in YOUR home by putting it in this red thaal" Sujata instructed post arati. She was standing along with her husband, daughter and members of Singhania family.

Swara did as instructed and walked inside home leaving her footprints behind. Sujata and Nandini took both of them to house temple followed by all other family members. She also instructed Swara to light the diya in front of Kanhaji's idol. Swara was doing all rituals as per instructions.

"Congratulations Bhabhi, finally you must be very happy. I can see it from your beaming face. After all Swara is your best friend's daughter and now she became your daughter in law. Your dream come true right" Divya passed her sarcastic wishes in sugar coated voice after entering house temple along with Vaishali. Earlier she was in her room grieving over her son's fate and was busy trying to call him to know about his wellbeing. Vaishali informed her about rest of Maheshwari family's arrival with Sanskar's bride which increased her fury.

Swara and everyone turned towards Divya with stereotyped look, they were expecting her stand, but no one was interested in any more squabble.

Sanskar looked at Swara, she was fidgeting her fingers, he could sense her discomfort over Divya's sarcastic comments. He held her hand and walked towards the temple threshold without passing single look at Divya.

Swara looked at him in bewilderment, same was the condition of Sujata and Ram, they were also looking at their son with wide eyes, whereas Divya became more furious over her nephew's apathetic and nonchalant attitude.

"Sanskar, you and your so-called wife cannot leave like this not before you give answers for your audacious behaviour which had crashed my son's life" Divya spat gritting her teeth, her eyes were blazing fire burning her prey.

"Our parents had asked us questions and we have answered them, so I don't think we need to give you any separate explanations, Divya Aunty" Sanskar's impassive yet deep voice boomed in Maheshwari temple.

'He is arrogant, self-obsessed and cold hearted' Swara's mind went to blank mode hearing his sarcastic reply. She was gaping at him with open mouth who in return has raised his eyebrows staring at his aunt.

"Divya, it's too late why don't you go back to your room and we will talk about this tomorrow. You look tired" Sujata tried her best to cover up the situation. Atleast for today, she did not want any arguments between her hard-headed son and stubborn sister in law.

"Bhabhi..." Divya was not the person who would calm down with simple request.

"Divya I agree with Sujata. Just go back to your room" Ram supported his wife calming his sister.

"Bhai but how can you..." Divya could not finish as she was cut by her brother in slightly raised voice.

"Enough Divya, I don't want any drama right now. We will talk tomorrow. Vaishali take her back to her room." Ram ordered with stern voice.

"You will regret one day Bhai for this support" Divya argued and asked her maid to take her back to her room but before leaving she passed death glare to Swara. Looking at Divya's ferocious gaze Sanskar moved shielding Swara, facing his back to her but passing insolent glare to his aunt.

"Come Swara" Sujata closed her eyes; she shook her head taking deep breath noticing upcoming cold war between her son and sister in law. She held Swara's hand in her's passing assured smile with blink. "You must be tired, now have some rest."

"Sanskar, I want you in study right now" Swara hear Ram's voice, she turned to look at her newly wedded husband who's facial expression had changed immediately into obedient son.

"Yes Dad" Sanskar replied with nod.

'He cares only for his family members that too just his parents and sister. With them he is totally a different person. Bipolar!' Swara took steps following her mother in law and sister in law.

"This is Sanskar's room and now your's too. Come come inside Beta." Sujata opened Sanskar's room and guided Swara inside.

Swara stepped inside the room with fake smile, she looked at the room it was huge room, painted with grey and white colour of walls with matching furniture and accents. King size bed was there in the center of the room, Swara's gaze went towards the pic of Sanskar hanged behind the bed. He was holding one trophy and was smiling lightly with shiny eyes.

"Swara, Ramesh must have kept your bags in dressing room. It is here" Sujata directed her inside small corridor and showed her around like dressing room, washroom and Sanskar's newly created study room.

"Sanskar is busy with Ram, I believe they are discussing about something very urgent. He will come soon." Sujata caressed Swara's hairs.

Swara responded with nod and tight smile.

"This is your home Beta. Please be comfortable. Just change and sleep. My daughter needs nice sleep now. If you need anything call me anytime." Sujata kissed her forehead to make Swara relaxed in her new surroundings.

"Good night" Sujata left from the room leaving behind Swara who took deep breath letting out her tears to stream over her cheeks.

Downstairs in Study Sanskar and Ram had closed themselves to discuss on the current burning issues.

"What are you talking about? Are you serious Sanskar?" Ram asked slumping down in his chair of study. Earlier Sanskar gave him details about Shekhar's planning and plotting's against Maheshwari Business House.

"Yes Dad, it's Mr. Shekhar Gadodia who was double crossing us. He was teaming up with small stakeholders against us" Sanskar concluded looking at his father's shocked stricken face.

"I don't believe it. I trusted him all these years." Ram could not believe on recent revelations.

"I am not sure Dad, but I suspect his involvement in news leakage about me couple of months back. Looks, like he plotted everything just to corner me." Sanskar was perplexed about his assumption.

"This is just because you rejected alliance with Ragini. How can you be so sure about it?" Ram was not able to connect the missing dots.

"Come on Dad, you know how much we tried to supress the news but somehow it was making its way to the public but the moment I announced my consent to marry his daughter suddenly media forgot about it. Remember AGM, I got 98% of votes Dad when just one month back all small shareholders were against me and were planning to announce someone among them for the post of CEO. Also, his dealings with CGC to increase their stand to compete with us in Europe. Are these not enough proofs to increase our suspicion for his direct involvement?" Sanskar was straightforward with his theory.

"I have not expected this Sanskar. I treated him as my friend" Ram took deep sigh palming his face.

"Dad, we need to remove him from board, he is dangerous. I am working on the plan which we will make him lose his membership on the board, but I need your backing when we will strike him down" Sanskar clarified.

"hmm, you will have my all support" Ram declared and continued with rigid tone, "But that does not justify your actions Sanskar. I would have preferred, if you had counterattack Shekhar professionally but not targeting Ragini. What was her mistake Sanskar? You have hurt that girl. I used to feel proud of you that you keep your personal and professional life separate. I have not expected this from you. You used to be my pride. You disappointed me my son."

Sanskar knew he let down his father. "I am sorry Dad. It will never happen again." Sanskar pleaded with bowed head. His father was considering obsessed, gold digger girl as innocent, Sanskar could not gather courage to give one more blow to his father's mindset.

"Sanskar I don't need to tell you in which circumstances you and Swara have got married. I don't want to interfere in your married life but now you are not alone. Swara's life is tied with you. Whatever you will do or decide will have a huge impact on her. So, think before you do anything. I will not tolerate if you ever hurt her, I will forget that you are my son" Ram warned his son, putting his hand on his shoulder before leaving from study room.

Sanskar moved out of study room to move towards his room. He entered in his room typing something on his phone but was halted in his tracks listening melodious voice which hit his eardrum when he stepped inside his room.

"Did you take your BP medicines Papa?" Swara was talking with Anurag on FaceTime. She turned to look back hearing door opening sound. Sanskar raised his eyes from mobile to get lost in her big doe eyes. Swara had changed into simple cotton white kurti and pajamas, tied her long silky hairs in lose ponytail with clutch, she was standing near the glass door of the balcony.

"Of course, Shona, now stop worrying about me. Good Night" Anurag's voice broke their eye lock and Sanskar moved towards washroom for change and freshen up.

Swara talked to her father for some more time and then cut the call.

Sanskar came after changing himself in black colour tshirt and white track pants and settled down on the couch of his room. Swara was standing in front of him lining against the glass door not saying a single word but her gaze was fixed on the stars. She observed his moves from corner of her eyes without turning to face him.

"We need to talk" Sanskar initiated their conversation in calm tone leaving deep sigh, he requested looking at her back, "I need to confess something."

"Me too" Swara heard him but she did not turn to face him.

"Go ahead" Sanskar encouraged her staring at her petite figure.

"I don't know why you agreed for this marriage, may be because of your family's reputations or your image in business world but let me clear my stand behind my decision for this marriage. I did this marriage just for my father. I cannot see him breaking down and anyone blaming him for other's mistakes." Swara cleared her stand in firm tone not removing her gaze from stars. She was remembering her father's miseries after her mother's departure.

"So, whatever happened between us yesterday was a mistake for you?" Sanskar could not suppress twinge his heart felt when she called their moment as mistake. His eyes turned glassy for a brief moment which he blinked. Without even turning to his side Swara felt his grief which left a scar on her soul, she realized that she named their moment as sin while drowning in her own miseries.

"Can we not talk about it? I am tired of this discussion. Everybody's is talking about it." Swara responded in frustration.

"I think you should sleep. You are exhausted. I am in study; I have some work. Let me know if you need anything" Sanskar replied getting up from couch and leaving for the study room adjacent to his room.

Swara kept on looking at his retreating figure, "it's 12:30 and he has some work. Such workaholic bipolar!" she muttered shaking her head.

Swara was tired mentally as well as physically, she slumped down on the armchair beside the balcony, she herself did not realize when she slipped in the deep slumber.

It was after two more hours, Sanskar opened the study room door, he came to take his dose of sleeping pills when he saw Swara sleeping like a newborn baby in fetus position wrapping her arms around her knees. Moonlight from glass door were enhancing her beautiful facial features, one hair strand was falling on her face which was disturbing his complete view of his bride. She was truly looking like an angle in that white dress. Sanskar felt her shivering, he took out his mobile from pant pockets to increase the temperature of the room. He took one comforter from bed to cover her. He smiled looking at her serene face, but his heart ached as he remembered his deeds.

He gulped his pills, rubbing his throbbing forehead and moved back to study to find some sleep after taking pillow and blanket from his bed.

In morning, Swara opened her eyes and found herself in completely unfamiliar surroundings and then realization hit her hard that she was married to Sanskar. She stretched her arms and found that she wrapped in the blanket. 'I was sitting here and then I myself don't know when I slept. This blanket...? Did he?' Swara scrunched her eyebrows and turned to take a glance at the room. That moment she realized that even the curtains of the glass door were closed, she recalled she was staring at the stars while sitting on the armchair, 'Maybe he.'

She took a glance over the room to find Sanskar but he was nowhere. She shrugged all her thoughts and took her phone to message her father.

'Good Morning Papa' She typed message and hit the sent button.

Swara moved towards washroom, but her eyes turned to check inside study room. Door of study room was half opened so Swara peeped inside thinking her newly wedded husband would be sleeping soundly inside, but to her dismay he was not there as well.

Swara heard knock on the door so she came out to see the intruder, she opened door and was welcomed by Sujata with warm smile.

"Good Morning Swara" Sujata kept tray on the coffee table while greeting.

"Good Morning Aunty" Swara replied with small smile.

"Get ready and come downstairs for breakfast. Anurag must be on his way to pick you up" Sujata informed.

"Aunty I hope you won't mind but I want to stay with Papa for some days" Swara voiced out her thoughts, over last night she thought and came to conclusion that she needed her own time to accept the recent changes of her life.

Sujata understood Swara's sudden request, she agreed with nod and assured smile. She accompanies Swara for her tea and then went downstairs to look after breakfast preparations. Swara also took her cloths and moved towards washroom for taking bath.

Sahil came out to balcony of his Delhi penthouse. He swiped the button from his phone to switched it on and scrunched his eyebrows looking at 100 missed calls and innumerable messages from his parents.

"Congratulations your so-called fiancée is now married with your lovely cousin" Soniya, Sahil's bed mate and leading modal, informed him showing the pic from her mobile joining him in the balcony.

"What the hell you are talking about?" Sahil lit his cigarette, but he was baffled with her sudden statement.

"Have a look at this", Soniya showed him her phone which had Swara and Sanskar's pic in wedding attire with headline 'Business Rivals turned into Love Birds tied in holy matrimony.'

"What the hell. He actually married her" Sahil scrunched his eyebrows.

"You pushed them in hole and now you are asking this question" Soniya asked with smirk.

"Yes, but I have not expected him to go and marry her on the same day" Sahil mumbled in disbelief remembering his deeds.

Sahil had started getting doubts on his cousin's intentions after his encounter with him and his fiancée at Gulmohar's café. He started keenly observing both Swara and Sanskar, also he appointed one security person to keep his eyes on their moves. He soon realised that his cousin was getting affected with his so-called rival. He was well aware about his cousin's moves and was waiting for hitting the jackpot.

On bachelor's party when his friend asked him to come to terrace without providing any solid reasons, he roamed his eyes on the party hall and smirked noticing Sanskar's absence. He acted like fainting while proceeding towards terrace but at the same time asked the security guard, he appointed to keep an eye on his fiancée to go and check out on the terrace. He was in continuous touch with his man who was hiding behind the pillar and was keeping his eyes on Swara and Sanskar. His man took pictures when Swara and Sanskar were kissing each other. Sahil passed those pictures to media using his own connections.

Sahil was rejoicing that his cousin gave him perfect reason to withdraw from this unwanted marriage but also harming his own reputation in business world. He was sure his family will blame their ideal son for his behaviour. Sahil hated Swara when she used to show him his place so Sahil had decided to give her back with dues maintaining his image in media, public and family. 'Again, he got what I wanted desperately.' Sahil threw the phone breaking it into small pieces.

"Looks like your cousin Sanskar is just like his name. He shows that he is rude, arrogant, stone hearted, brutal and what not but his weakness is his heart. When someone makes place in his heart then that person becomes his weakness. Same happened with Swara. She has become his weakness" Soniya puffed cigarette staring at her crashed phone and continued in seductive tone tracing her fingers over his cheeks, "But baby I pity you. You lost your chances to be with that bitch."

"Hey, don't call her bitch. I never wanted to get married with that controlled freak, dominating, arrogant girl" Sahil fumed in anger jerking Soniya's hand.

Soniya chuckled and Sahil grabbed her arm twisting it harshly and responded venomously "I can still have her in my bed whenever I want. So, don't give me this look."

"Come on Sahil, your brother will kill you if you eye his girl...Opps his WIFE" Soniya passed chuckle with smirk.

"My brother will be drowned in his own pain and agony when he will see his so-called forced wife with ME, planning and plotting against him and praying for his ruination." Sahil chuckled winking at Soniya who looked at him with shocked-stricken face.

"You hate your cousin?" Soniya murmured.

"You can't even imagine how much I hate him" Sahil was gritting his teeth looking at far.

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Tell me your view:

Whose POV is your favourite? Sanskar, Sujata or Swara.

New entry how did you find her introduction?

Any words for Swara and Sanskar's so called wedding night.

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Precap –

Swara moving to Mehra house will Sanskar be able to confess his deeds to her?

Sengupta family's reaction and outburst

Who will give tight slap to Sahil?

Thanks for loving this story. Let me know how you found this chapter in the form of your votes and comments.

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